Hungry insects, woodpeckers on the town and fair registration

While strolling, I wondered whatever happened to Myrajean Benfield.

Happy birthday to Richard Hodge, Carol Hodge, Mike Senciboy, Martin Eftink, Dawn Kerber, Gideon Kerber, Wanda Owens, Vera Burger, Carolyn B. Hawkins, Larry Himmelspoch, Liselotte Stanton, Paul Hitt, Linda Pepple, Christina Cook, Nancy Moore, Paige Russom, John Biler, Rita Lux, Elvis Abernathy, Gary Wolfe, Emma Anthony, Don Vance, Samantha Glastetter, Diane Keller, Andrea Hendrix, Gail Walter, Tamra Leslie, Brandon Davis, Iris Crowe, Dorothy Black, Jake Hitt, Donald Ward, Jim Whistler, Bruce Jansen and Cara Duncan.

Happy anniversary to Don and Nancy Everett, Chris and Pam Duncan, Chris and Michelle Abernathy, Dean and Kimberly Foulk, Dan and Judy Finley with special wishes to Cletus and Rita Lux on their 72 years of marriage.

It's hot, and many are enjoying the pool at Harmon Field. City Hall thanks everyone for your support!

Richard and I hiked Tywappity and tried to do Watkins but the mosquitoes were especially hungry. so we made a quick exit. We spray 15 percent Deet on our bodies and dot vanilla on our faces for gnats, which is usually very effective.

Lone fawn

On one hike, I saw a fawn sitting under a tree on a hill. I looked at it, and it looked at me, but I moved on so as to not startle it and draw the attention of its mother, which, I am certain, was nearby. Richard was, as usual, a good 30 feet in front of me and missed it. Aaron Horrell featured a fawn recently in the Southeast Missourian, and we learned they are born with more than 250 spots. We did not see much else, and wondered what happened to all the woodpeckers.

Due to the rain, we walked the town the next day. Just down the block we heard these loud bird calls and were able to identify them as redheaded woodpeckers. They have one area at Tywappity staked out so we are used to seeing them there or other nature areas -- but not in town. Later that morning, a male was perched on one of our trees. It is the first time I have seen one so closely, and what a magnificent bird he is. His red head was really red; the black areas were really black and the white chest and rump were really white! I think they were just passing through town, but if you hear a loud "queeah," you will know they are back.

Before we know it, September will be here and that means the SEMO District Fair. With their three-year success of online entries for exhibitors, they will not be mailing their printed version of the entry information book. The fair office opens July 20 and you can request a copy by contacting them at 573-334-9250. Fair days are Sept. 12 through 19.

Fair-ly delightful

With the mention of state fairs, the subject of new fair foods comes up. One of eight nominees for Wisconsin's State Fair is beer-battered pretzel-coated deep-fried cheese curds. Others include deep-fried pickle dogs and the bacon-bottom porker pizza, with a bacon-weave pizza crust. In Iowa, there will be deep-fried nacho balls, golden fried peanut butter and jelly on a stick. One person likened state fairs to the adult version of a birthday party.

Remembering Tom Heeb

Jae Hopkins informs us of the passing of former resident Tom Heeb. He received the sad news from Tom's adoptive son Jonathan. Tom was of the Chaffee High School Class of 1951, and Jae says he was always the "go- to" guy who could get things done whether it was setting up movies, playing in the band or other activities. He was president of his class, a member of the Glee Club, Mogul Staff, Drama Club, Band and Camera Club, of which he was president. That year he and current resident Shirley Lee were Halloween king and queen. Tom served many years in the USO in Italy and China. He was a man of great faith, and lived in Sikeston, where his brother Max also lives. Jonathan says a service will be held in Helsinki in October to celebrate and remember this very special person.

Special words

Remember to tell those special people in your life you love them -- those three words mean so very much.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are missing loved ones, our homebound, those in hospitals and nursing homes. Email your news and comments to darbuck2@airmail.net or leave a message at 573-887-6430 or 214-207-7839.

And then ...

Then there was the gardener who wore dark colors, a nonbeliever in bug spray, who then fretted about mosquito bites.